Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 18, 2025
13:47
Laser Capture Microdissection of Highly Pure Trabecular Meshwork from Mouse Eyes for Gene Expression Analysis
Published on: June 3, 2018
9.6K
The GGLEAM Study: Understanding Glaucoma in the Ohio Amish
Andrea R Waksmunski1,2, Yeunjoo E Song1, Tyler G Kinzy1
1Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|February 10, 2021
Summary
The Genetics of GLaucoma Evaluation in the AMish (GGLEAM) study investigates glaucoma's genetic causes in the Ohio Amish. This unique population offers insights into unexplained heritability of this vision-impairing disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Genetics
- Population Health
Background:
- Glaucoma is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness globally.
- Both genetic and environmental factors influence glaucoma susceptibility.
- Despite identifying over 120 risk loci, a significant portion of glaucoma's heritability remains unexplained.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the Genetics of GLaucoma Evaluation in the AMish (GGLEAM) study.
- To investigate the genetic architecture of glaucoma within the Ohio Amish population.
- To leverage the reduced genetic and environmental heterogeneity of this population for clearer genetic insights.
Main Methods:
- Enrollment of 81 Amish individuals from Holmes County, Ohio.
- Comprehensive eye examinations and glaucoma evaluations for 62 participants.
- Utilizing the Anabaptist Genealogy Database to establish kinship and pedigree information.
Main Results:
- Established a large, multigenerational pedigree of 1586 individuals, with 80 GGLEAM participants related within it.
- Collected health and kinship data from the enrolled Amish cohort.
- Identified 42 glaucoma-affected and 20 unaffected individuals for comparative analysis.
Conclusions:
- The GGLEAM study provides a unique resource for glaucoma research.
- Integration of health and kinship data will facilitate the interrogation of glaucoma genetics.
- This population offers a powerful model to uncover novel genetic factors and understand glaucoma pathophysiology.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
1.1K
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
1.1K
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
822
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
822
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
950
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
950